Tuesday 27th August 2013 kick off 19:45 hours
Spartans South Midlands Premier League
Holmer Green 1 v Hertford Town FC 1
Airedale Park
Holmer Green Sports Assoc.
Watchet Lane
Holmer Green
Bucks
HP15 6UF
Attendance : 46
Admission :£6
Weather: Good
Game No 27 New Ground No. 21
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History
THE EARLY YEARS
Holmer Green F.C. was founded in 1908 and initially played in the Chesham & District League. Home matches were played at Campbell's Meadow (now the Rosetti Estate) at this time, before moving to The Common and headquarters in the Bat and Ball. In 1934 the Club switched to the Wycombe Combination League, as it was then, which was to he home for the next fifty years. The Chesham Charity Cup was won in 1939, 1949 and again in 1953, and it was also in this year that the Club won its first major trophy - the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup. The 1960's saw success again in the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup (1965) as well as three further victories in the Chesham Charity Cup.
WATCHET LANE
The early 1970's saw the start of a very successful period in the Club's history, as under Norman King's managership the Wycombe League title was won in 1972 and 1974. In 1975 progress continued off the field as the Club moved its headquarters to the new H.G.S.A. complex at Watchet Lane. This move coincided with victory in the Wycombe Senior Cup, and in 1977 with Roly Clarke as manager the 1st Xl won the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup. This victory gained the Club Senior status and in 1981, with Pete Eyres as manager, the 1st Xl reached the quarter-finals of the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup, defeating Chesham United and Flackwell Heath on the way before losing 2-1 to the holders, Milton Keynes.
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE A merger of the Spartan and South Midlands Leagues took place in 1997/98. After initially running side by side for a season the two leagues came together last season and the newly expanded Senior Division consisted of twenty two clubs. With planning permission obtained for floodlights the next objective was promotion to the Premier Division. In order to achieve this a top two finish was required - a tall order in view of the strength of the new Senior Division, but after another manic finish to the season (twelve league games in the last four weeks) the Senior Division was finally won on goal difference from long time leaders Hanwell Town. Success also came in the cups, reaching the final of the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy for the first time, losing 1-0 to Eton Wick, and also reaching the two-legged final of the League Challenge Trophy before losing 3-0 on aggregate to Waltham Abbey.
The Club's main ambition of promotion to the Premier Division was achieved, the floodlights are up and operational, and the Club is again back in the FA Vase, and for the last eight seasons has been in the FA Cup. The Club has maintained its presence in the Premier Division despite adhering strictly to an amateur ethos. None of this could have been achieved without the hard work, dedication, commitment and support of the Committee and loyal supporters. More work, particularly around the ground, and changing facilities, needs to be done. But the Club has survived its first 100 years and commemorated the beginning of the Centenary Year with a friendly at Watchet Lane against a full strength Wycombe Wanderers in front of a record crowd in excess of 800 people.
Welcome to Airedale Park - no Yorkshire connections here - this the name of the sponsors - Airedale Financial Investments Ltd - sounds like a shaggy dog story.
Large Beer Barrel
Mr Ted aka Mr Holmer Green - he's been at the club for 49 years - another one of non leagues "unsung heroes".
Fine pines at Airedale Park
The idyllic Penn Ponds at Tyler Green on route to the ground - looks a great fishing venue - maybe this should be the next blog ?? Carping with Flysouth .
- what say you readers ?
The Red Lion PH - A fine establishment quality ales and food.
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